Schumacher went over to discuss the matter with Alonso in parc ferme, and also approached Charlie Whiting, the FIA representative, to ask for a clarification of the rules.

We didn’t expect anything else from a man who made his name in the sport with his mild-mannered approach to racing and a “no please, after you” attitude on track.

“Basically on my last try, I was slowed down by him [Alonso],” said Schumacher.

“I had a conversation with Charlie Whiting about this as well, because I need to know what is the reference, what are the guidelines here, what are the rules?”

Hmm, good question. What, indeed, are the rules? The same ones that saw a certain seven-time German F1 champion stripped of pole at the 2006 Monaco GP after he accidentally stopped his car on the track, and, by unfortunate coincidence, prevented Alonso setting a faster time?